Exercise and massaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus is combined with a massaging belt adapted to be worn by a person. Responsive to the operation of the exercise apparatus the massaging belt cyclically undergoes sideto-side oscillating motion.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,861,382

Simjian Jan. 21, 1975 EXERCISE AND MASSAGING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Luther G. Simjian, 7 Laurel Ln., Pr'mary Exammer'wLawrence Trapp Greenwich, Conn. 06830 [22] Filed: Oct. 11, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 405,406 [57] ABSTRACT 52 us. Cl. 128/58, 128/63 An exercise apparatus is Combined With massaging [51] Int. Cl A61h 11/00 belt adapted to be wom y a p Responsive to [58] Field of Search 128/57, 58, 24.3, 63; the Operation of the exercise apparatus the massaging 272/73 belt cyclically undergoes side-to-side oscillating motion.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 21 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures 3,727,608 4/1973 Simjian 128/63 Patented Jan. 21, 1975 5 Sheets-Sheet l .QQQR m Patented Jun. 21, 1975 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

Patented Jan. 21, 1975 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 7

Patented Jan. 21, 1975 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

EXERCISEAND MASSAGING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is related to my previous exercise and massaging apparatus as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,723 dated June 20, 1972, entitled, Massaging Device Driven By Exercise Apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,608 dated Apr. 17, 1973, entitled, Massaging Device Driven By Exercise Apparatus, and in a still pending application for U.S. Letters Patent Ser. No. 226,056 filed Feb. 14, 1972 entitled Exercise and Massaging Apparatus, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,745 dated Dec. 11, 1973.

The above referenced patents disclose an exercise apparatus which is combined with a massaging means so that a person operating the particular apparatus for the purpose of subjecting himself to exercise simultaneously receives a massage. The massaging action is directly related to the muscular effort expended during such exercise. The exercise apparatus typically comprises a bicycle or a rowing type apparatus, and the massaging means, as shown previously, include resilient roller means, a massaging belt having inflatable massaging elements and similar instrumentalities.

The present invention dicloses a very similar exercise and massaging apparatus in the form of a bicycle or rowing type means in combination with a massaging belt. The mechanical coupling between the exercise apparatus and the massaging belt is constructed in such a manner that, responsive to the motive effort expanded by the user, the massaging belt is caused to undergo cyclic side-to-side oscillating motion.

It has been found that this type of massaging action is very effective and closely simulates the massaging action experienced when receiving a manual massage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a typical embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the drive mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail view showing certain adjusting means for the massaging means;

FIG. 6 is a view along line 66 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view along line 77 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a typical massaging belt;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing a modification of the embodiment per FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the embodiment per FIG. 11, and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the figures and FIGS. 1 through 8 in particular, numeral 10 identifies a support structure which is fitted with a set of feet 12 for resting on even ground such as the floor of a room. The configuration of the exercise apparatus in the present embodiment simulates generally that of a stationary bicycle. Identifying for the sake of simplicity only the most important constructional features, a vertical shaft 14 extends from the support structure 10 and supports a seat 16 at an adjustable height along the shaft 14 in order to accommodate persons of different height.

The exercise apparatus includes a pedal mechanism comprising essentially a shaft 20 supported by the structure 10 and carrying at its ends respective pedal members 22 as are well known from bicycles. The shaft 20 supports a pair of gears 24 and 26 shiftable along the shaft. The gears 24 and 26 are adapted to mesh with respective gears 28 and 30 depending upon the position of the gear shaft lever 32. The gears 28 and 30 are secured upon a shaft 34 which is journalled in and supported by a pair of stationary supports 36. The gears provide variable speed means for transmitting motion to the massaging means.

The shaft 34 is provided, moreover, at each end with a member 40 having a plurality of apertures 42. The members 40 are mounted to the shaft 34 180 displaced with respect to each other so that one member 40 is directed in the forward direction when the other member 40 is directed in the rearward direction. A pair of flexible cables 46 are mounted by means of respective links 48 to the members 40 using suitable fastening pins 50. It will be apparent that one of the cable ends is alternately pulled while the other end of the cable is released, thus providing what may be termed a pushpull action. The cables 46 are fed over a set of pulleys 54 and a pulley 56 disposed at the front of the support structure 10 through a vertical tube 58 which is fitted with handle bars 60. The V-shaped guide 62, FIG. 4, provides separation of the cables 46 and causes one cable to be directed toward the left and the other toward the right, FIG. 4, to finally provide a pair of respective cable ends 46A and 468, see FIGS. 6 and 7. The ends 46A and 46B are attached to the ends of a massaging belt 100 which will be described in greater detail below.

The vertical tube member 58 through which the ca bles 46 are fed toward the handle bars 60 is mounted preferably, see FIG. 3, to the support 10 by means of a pin and a pair of supports 72. Therefore, the handle bars 60 can be moved relative to the person sitting on seat 16 by pivotal motion about pin 70. Hence, the massaging belt can be adjusted to provide more or less engagement pressure with the body portion about which the belt 100 is fastened.

It will be clearly apparent that as the pedals 22 are rotated, the motion of the pedals is transmitted from the shaft 20 and gears 24 and 26 to a respective gear 28 or 30 and shaft 34. Rotation of the shaft 34 causes the members 40 which are pinned to the shaft 34 to rotate and impart motion to the links 48 which are adapted to rotate relative to the fastening means 50 in a pitman-like fashion. Thus, the ends of the belt 46A and 46B are pulled alternately while the non-pulled end is permitted to withdraw by a substantially equal amount of the pulled distance. This motion causes the ends of the belt to cyclically undergo side-to-sidc oscillating motion to produce the massaging action against the body of the wearer of the belt.

The excursion of this oscillating motion is adjustable by virtue of the apertures 42 in the member 40 and a similar series of apertures 49 in the links 48. For instance, it will be seen by a comparison of the views of FIGS. 1 and 5 that the excursion of the massaging belt motion in FIG. 5 has been shortened as compared with the view in FIG. 1.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the variable gear means 24, 26, 28 and 30 may be replaced by variable pulley and belt means, adjustable sheave means, etc. as is well known.

The massaging belt 100 may take various forms as has been previously disclosed in the patents referenced hereinabove. Typically, the belt comprises a plurality of individual massaging elements 102 which are mounted to opposite ends of a tubing 104 which, in turn, is supported by a pair of spaced links 106, see FIGS. 1, 7 and 8. The tubings 104 act as pivots. The individual massaging elements may comprise relatively hard material, such as hard rubber, or they may be softer material by being somewhat spongey, or alternatively the individual massaging elements may be inflatable with vent means to ambient through a respective tubing 104 as has been shown in previously issued US. Pat. No. 3,662,749, FIG. 6, which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. It will be apparent that the specific construction of the massaging belt is subject to wide variation to suit individual tastes and preferences. Moreover, the exercise apparatus may be delivered with a choice of massaging belts.

While in FIG. 6 the cable ends 46A and 46B are crossed before attachment to the massaging belt 100, it will be apparent that such crossing is not a necessity but that the cable ends may be attached without such crossing so that the massaging belt assumes the shape of a U as seen, for instance, in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 9 and disclose an alternative arrangement in which a rowing type exercise apparatus is simulated for providing physical exercise primarily to the arm muscles. The support structure 80 supports a seat 82 and a pivotally mounted handle 84 which is pivoted to the support 80 by means of a pin 85. The upper end of the handle is provided with a set of handle bars 86. A pair of cables 88 and 90 are secured via links 92 to handle 84 at either side of the pivot pin 85. The cables 88 and 90 are fed via respective pulleys 91 and 94 in an upward direction through a tubing 96 and through a curved tubing 98 toward the belt 100 for imparting motion to the belt. It will be seen that this arrangement is similar to the embodiment per FIG. 1 except that the side-to-side cyclic motion of the belt ends is provided responsive to the pivotal motion of the handle 84. A person sitting on the sea 82 and wearing the belt 100 will grasp the handle bars 86 and operate the handle bars 86 so that the handle 84 will pivot about pin 85.

The amount of excursion of the belt ends in adjustable once again by means of a set of apertures 93 in the handle 84. As shown in FIG. 10, the mechanism is adjusted for maximum excursion of the belt ends. Of course, it will be possible also to adjust for a differential excursion, that is, one end will undergo greater excursion that the other.

The amount of pressure exerted by the belt upon the wearer is adjustable in two ways. As described in connection with FIG. 1, the operator can pivot the member 58 about pin 70 and hence increase or decrease the engagement pressure during the belt motion. Additionally, it will be noted that the cable ends are provided with hooks 124 adapted to engage the cross tubings 104. Thus, by hooking the hooks 124 on a respective tubing 104 the belt can be shortened. The unused massaging elements 102 will fold back by virtue of links 106.

A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. While this modification has been adapted in connection with the construction shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it shall be understood that the same modification may also be used in conjunction with the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 8.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 only a single cable end is connected to the motive means, that is to the lever 84 or the pedal means shown in FIGS. 1 through 8. The other cable end 150, FIG. 11, is connected to one end of a helical tension spring 152 and the opposite end of the spring is coupled to a fixed bracket 154 which is fastened to the support structure. As is clearly seen in FIG. 12, only one cable end is moved responsive to the operation of the lever 84. Depending on the softness of the spring 152 the belt will cause a greater or small massaging action upon the person.

While the massaging belt may take various forms and may include, in addition to the design disclosed, additional resilient members, it has been found that the massaging elements should be somewhat stiff in order to undergo bodily motion relative to the engaged body portion. Excessive softness will primarily cause a distortion of the massaging elements without providing the motional displacement which simulates a hand massage. However, some resiliency is required in order to avoid pain or even injury to the person. In this connection, the pivotal mounting of the upright member 58 is particularly helpful since it provides a means for regulating and controlling the engagement pressure experienced by the person operating the exercise apparatus.

A further alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 13. A crank shaft is supported in stationary bearings 162. A set of pedals 164 is attached to the ends of the crank shaft 160. A further shaft is supported in a bearing 172 and is subjected to oscillatory motion by being coupled to bend 161 in the crank shaft 160 by a link 174, clevice 176, a pin 178, rod and bushing 182 mounted for rotation upon the bend 161. Since the height of the bend 161 is smaller than the length of the link 174, the link 174 undergoes oscillating motion responsive to rotation of the crank shaft 160.

The oscillatory motion of the shaft 170 is transmitted to a drum 184 via a set of bevel gears 186, 188 and a vertical shaft 190. The belt 100 is connected to the drum 184 by means of a rope or cable 192 which has several turns wound upon the drum 184, and the free ends of the rope being connected to the ends of the belt 100. Hence, the oscillatory motion of the shaft 170 is transmitted to the drum 184 for causing one belt end to be cyclically drawn toward the drum while the other end is released by an equal amount. Again, as in the embodiments described previously, a side-to-side oscillating belt motion is obtained. A platform 200 supports the bearings 162 and a standard 202 which supports the bearing 172 as well as an additional bearing 204 journalling the vertical shaft 190.

While there have been described certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that further changes both in the exercise apparatus as well as in the specific construction of the massaging belt are possible without deviating from the broad principle of the present invention which shall be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by a person;

a massaging belt for being worn by the person, said belt having two ends, and

means coupling said motive means to said ends for causing said belt when worn and encircling a body portion to undergo cyclic side-to-side oscillating motion responsive to the operation of said motive means, whereby to cause substantially no tightening and slackening of said belt during such motion.

2. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging belt having massaging elements for rolling contact with the person.

3. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 2, said massaging elements being made of resilient material.

4. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said massaging elements being fluid filled and including venting means to ambient for discharging fluid to ambient responsive to pressure between said elements and the body portion of the person engaged by said belt and for being recharged upon the cessation of such pressure.

5. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said motive means including pedal means providing rotating motion and means for converting the rotating motion to reciprocating motion.

6. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 5, and said means coupling including flexible cable means.

7. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said motive means including a pivoted lever mounted for undergoing pivotal motion.

8. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said support structure being stationary and including a seat for use by the person operating said motive means.

9. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 8, said means coupling including linkage means coupled to said motive means, and flexible cable means connecting said linkage means to said respective belt ends for causing the speed of said oscillating motion of said belt to be commensurate with the speed of operating said motive means.

10. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and including means for causing the excursion of said oscillating motion to be adjustable.

11. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by a person;

a massaging belt having massaging elements for en gaging a body portion of the person operating said motive means when said belt is worn by the person and the ends of the belt are brought toward each other, and

means coupling said motive means to at least one end of said belt for causing certain of said elements to undergo side-byside oscillating bodily motion relative to said body portion responsive to the operation of said motive means, whereby to cause substantially no tightening or slackening of said belt during such motion.

12. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 11, said massaging elements being shaped for rolling motion relative to said body portion.

13. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by a person;

a massaging belt having massaging elements for engaging a body portion of the person operating said motive means when said belt is worn by the person and the ends of the belt are brought toward each other, and

means coupling one end of said structure and coupling the other end of said belt to said motive means for causing certain of said elements to undergo side-to-side oscillating motion relative to the body portion engaged responsive to the operation of said motive means.

14. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said one end being resiliently coupled to said structure.

15. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

a seat mounted to said support structure for supporting a person using said apparatus;

motive means coupled to said structure and providing reciprocating motion;

a massaging belt having massaging elements for being worn by the person;

coupling means coupling said motive means to said belt for causing at least one of the belt ends to cyclically undergo side-to-side oscillating motion responsive to the operation of said motive means, whereby to cause substantially no tightening or slackening of said belt during such oscillating motion;

means cooperatively associated with said belt and said coupling means for adjusting the engagement pressure between said elements and the body por tion of the person, and

further means provided on said motive means for adjusting the excursion of the motion of said one belt end.

16. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said structure being in the form simulating a stationary bicycle frame.

17. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said coupling means including flexible cable means.

18. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said motive means comprising a set of foot pedals coupled to drive a pair of spaced links.

19. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said motive means including variable speed means.

20. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising:

a support structure;

motive means coupled to said structure and providing reciprocating motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power;

a massaging belt having massaging elements for being worn by the person expending muscle power, and

means coupling said reciprocating motion to said massaging belt for causing the ends of said belt to cyclically undergo side-to-side oscillating motion commensurate with the speed of operation of said motive means, there occurring substantially no means coupling said motive means to said massaging belt for causing at least one of the ends of the belt to cyclically undergo side-to-side oscillating motion responsive to the operation of said motive means, there occurring substantially no tightening or slackening of said belt during said oscillating motion. 

1. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a support structure; motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by a person; a massaging belt for being worn by the person, said belt having two ends, and means coupling said motive means to said ends for causing said belt when worn and encircling a body portion to undergo cyclic side-to-side oscillating motion responsive to the operation of said motive means, whereby to cause substantially no tightening and slackening of said belt during such motion.
 2. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging belt having massaging elements for rolling contact with the person.
 3. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 2, said massaging elements being made of resilient material.
 4. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said massaging elements being fluid filled and including venting means to ambient for discharging fluid to ambient responsive to pressure between said elements and the body portion of the person engaged by said belt and for being recharged upon the cessation of such pressure.
 5. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said motive means including pedal means providing rotating motion and means for converting the rotating motion to reciprocating motion.
 6. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 5, and said means coupling including flexible cable means.
 7. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said motive means including a pivoted lever mounted for undergoing pivotal motion.
 8. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said support structure being stationary and including a seat for use by the person operating said motive means.
 9. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 8, said means coupling including linkage means coupled to said motive means, and flexible cable means connecting said linkage means to said respective belt ends for causing the speed of said oscillating motion of said belt to be commensurate with the speed of operating said motive means.
 10. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and including means for causing the excursion of said oscillating motion to be adjustable.
 11. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a support structure; motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by a person; a massaging belt having massaging elements for engaging a body portion of the person operating said motive means when said belt is worn by the person and the ends of the belt are brought toward each other, and means coupling said motive means to at least one end of said belt for causing certain of said elements to undergo side-by-side oscillating bodily motion relative to said body portion responsive to the operation of said motive means, whereby to cause substantially no tightening or slackening of said belt during such motion.
 12. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 11, said massaging elements being shaped for rolling motion relative to said body portion.
 13. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a support structure; motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by a person; a massaging belt having massaging elements for engaging a body portion of the person operating said motive means when said belt is worn by the person and the ends of the belt are brought toward each other, and means coupling one end of said structure and coupling the other end of said belt to said motive means for causing certain of said elements to undergo side-to-side oscillating motion relative to the body portion engaged responsive to the operation of said motive means.
 14. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said one end being resiliently coupled to said structure.
 15. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a support structure; a seat mounted to said support structure for supporting a person using said apparatus; motive means coupled to said structure and providing reciprocating motion; a massaging belt having massaging elements for being worn by the person; coupling means coupling said motive means to said belt for causing at least one of the belt ends to cyclically undergo side-to-side oscillating motion responsive to the operation of said motive means, whereby to cause substantially no tightening or slackening of said belt during such oscillating motion; means cooperatively associated with said belt and said coupling means for adjusting the engagement pressure between said elements and the body portion of the person, and further means provided on said motive means for adjusting the excursion of the motion of said one belt end.
 16. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said structure being in the form simulating a stationary bicycle frame.
 17. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said coupling means including flexible cable means.
 18. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said motive means comprising a set of foot pedals coupled to drive a pair of 180* spaced links.
 19. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said motive means including variable speed means.
 20. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a support structure; motive means coupled to said structure and providing reciprocating motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power; a massaging belt having massaging elements for being worn by the person expending muscle power, and means coupling said reciprocating motion to said massaging belt for causing the ends of said belt to cyclically undergo side-to-side oscillating motion commensurate with the speed of operation of said motive means, there occurring substantially no tightening or slackening of said belt during said oscillating motion.
 21. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a support structure; motive means coupled to said structure and providing reciprocating motion; a massaging belt having massaging elements for engaging a body portion of a person desirous to receive a massage, and means coupling said motive means to said massaging belt for causing at least one of the ends of the belt to cyclically undergo side-to-side oscillating motion responsive to the operation of said motive means, there occurring substantially no tightening or slackening of said belt during said oscillating motion. 